VIC STATE RACE SERIES HEADS TO THE SEA

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: May 26, 2023

The Victorian State Race Series heads south to Phillip Island for the third round of the 2023 season, which fires up today.

After big race weekends at Sandown and Winton to open the season, the sweeping seaside bends of Phillip Island await around 250 drivers spread across 10 categories today and tomorrow.

A big field of over 40 cars are expected to fight for Improved Production Cars honours.

Daniel Timewell currently leads the championship in his Holden VF Commodore by nine points ahead of HSV runner Luke Grecg-Cumbo.

The class will run alongside the BMW E30s where a thrilling fight for the BMW Drives Cup title is emerging.

Both Jesse Bryan and Ashley Rogers are locked on 40 points, but Alex Jory and Royce Lyne, who sit third and fourth respectively have shown more speed sharing the round wins.

Up to 20 drivers have already signed up to steer their Formula Vee machines around the Island.

Former Super3 driver and one-off Super2 starter Reef McCarthy has started the season in convincing fashion.

He collected maximum points from the first two rounds to enjoy a 40-point lead over Lee Partridge.

The fight in Formula Ford is shaping up to be a classic with three drives split by as many points at the top.

Joe Fawcett, Jack Bussey and Edison Beswick are all tightly bunched at the pointy end, but watch out for Jake SantaLucia, who may sit seventh, but dominated Winton after missing the opener.

Francois Habib in his Tasman Motorsport style VZ Commodore will be one to watch in the popular Sports Sedans.

Habib was untouchable at Winton after Dean Cram’s Chevrolet Corvette withdrew in qualifying.

Two flying Ford Falcons driven by Keven Stoopman and Daniel Johnson are at the top of the Saloon Cars class.

Another big fleet of Hyundai Excels can be expected to descend on the Island with Cadel Ambrose and Harry Tomkins both looking to gain the upper hand in their tight title fight.

Holden HQs return to the VSRS schedule with Rod Raatjes on top ahead of Steve Banks following round 1.

The Porsche 944 Challenge also appears intriguing with little separating Chris Lewis-Williams, Cameron Seller and Adam Brewer from the first two events.

There will also be a new addition to the VSRS ranks with the newly formed Toyota 86 Scholarship Series.

Phillip Island will be the second stop on the Scholarship Series which rolled into action at Sydney Motorsport Park in April when Marcus LaDelle swept the floor.

This is in place of the resting Sports Car category.

The race meeting is being promoted by the Phillip Island Auto Racing Club and spokesperson Geoff Bull said organisers are hoping for 250-plus entries for a big weekend of racing.

On-track action takes place between 9am and 5pm with tickets available on EventBrite from $30 with Under 16’s free.

Tickets are available at EVENTBRITE and start from $30. More information can be found HERE

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